Stories from the Sales Frontlines

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  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    The one time I was close for any time to one of those 49 Pontiacs for any time was in 1963 when we were up in Maine for a few weeks. A neighbor for that time had one. Needless to say it was pretty used up at that point but the hood ornament still lit up so I was impressed.
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,637
    How did the hood ornament light up......
    image

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    image

    Looked pretty much like this. Lit from inside. I guess the bulb is behind his head.
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    How did the hood ornament light up......

    Are you serious? It had candles. :confuse:

    Edit: 'fez' ruined it. :mad:

    jmonroe

    '15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl

  • cdnpinheadcdnpinhead Member Posts: 5,630
    I remember as a kid was my parents' '53 Pontiac straight-eight. It was green, and I spent lots of time in the late '50s polishing it. Who else (if anyone) had the straight-eight? -- smooth, like buttah.

    My roommate and I rented a Pontiac Bonneville in the late '60s for a hot double-date. Great cars -- sorry the brand is dead. I'm sure it won't be the last. Now I guess we know how it was "back in the day" when brands were dropping like flies.

    Times change. We no longer have a daily newspaper in our burg, everyone where I work has just taken a 10% pay cut, and the beat goes on.
    '08 Acura TSX, '17 Subaru Forester
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,593
    Buick made some great cars, no doubt about it.

    My sister had a 70's era Buick Apollo, The thing started to fall apart as she was driving home from the dealership. I think the thing did 0-60 in 3.4 weeks.

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    My roommate and I rented a Pontiac Bonneville in the late '60s for a hot double-date.

    Four people in my 66' Bonneville was nothing. I remember I had to drive when me, my brother and my cousin went out. My car was the only one that would hold 6 people comfortably. My brother had a 66' Tempest and my cousin had a 67' Mustang. There was no way I'd even try to climb in the back seat of that Mustang, :cry:

    jmonroe

    '15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,637
    Times change. We no longer have a daily newspaper in our burg, everyone where I work has just taken a 10% pay cut, and the beat goes on.

    I was just thinking....all the things that are happening in the last few years;
    Newspapers dying
    Photography stores closing down
    CD sales sliding into oblivion
    Books can be sent to a printer, won't need to publish, transport, stock...just order on demand,
    TV Networks in Canada are losing millions, probably be a problem in US soon. The market is divided up with so many specialty channels and other sources of entertainment.
    I live in a steel town. The mills are closing or barely operating.
    Who would of thought 10 years ago GM could go bankrupt?
    Homes going down substantially in value,
    Stock market down by almost a half
    Video rental stores will soon be gone
    Possible pandemic flu is here,
    Pontiac, one of the top brands of all time....gone,

    We live in interesting times!

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • traindrivertraindriver Member Posts: 328
    I went looking at the Buick Enclave this past Winter. Each time a salesman came up to me they asked to come get them when my grandfather comes back from the bathroom.

    The Enclave is the one Buick this 36 year old would love to own. ;):blush:
    The sedans.....well, maybe in a few decades.....
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    My grandfather's 49 Buick had a straight eight. Great old car. Wish I I had it.
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,637
    Lit from inside. I guess the bulb is behind his head

    Now that is so cool. I have seen 49s but never that lit up head..

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,637
    Looks like they continued lit up hood ornaments until the mid to late 50s. It is so unique, bet if they brought back those lit up hood ornaments Pontiac would still be around!
    image

    This one is from a 1955. More of them at;Pontiac hood ornaments

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    Those hood ornaments that lit up were around for a few years. They were amber colored and the Indian head lit up when the headlights were turned on. Today they probably would be considered Politically Incorect. Just something unique to Pontiac.
  • lrguy44lrguy44 Member Posts: 2,197
    If I remember correctly, the 55 Pontiac was the last of the Chiefs. My dad had a 55 Star Chief. I did have a 67 LeMans and a 69 Bonneville. First Oldsmobile (the performance brand of the 50s), Then the Rocky Mountain News, now Pontiac. It is a different world.
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    Interesting. Looks like 1955 was the last year they lit up.
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    Sad times.

    Who thinks technology is a good thing? Brick and Mortar traditional businesses are closing down at an alarming rate.

    This flu is no joke according to some sources close to me. We could be seeing the very beginning of something worse than we can fathom.
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    The man is now an image posting maniac.....

    That's a great one! Yeah, I think 55 was it. After that there was a new look coming - the dawning of the short but never to be forgotten tail fin era. I think the old chief would have looked great on later models.
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    "...the 55 Pontiac was the last of the Chiefs."

    No, the 1964 model was the last Star Chief. My wife had one when I met her.

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    "...this 36 year old would love to own."

    What?! Do you mean that it was a young man who helped me find all of those black GM"s? You must have some very proud parents out there some place. Thanks again.

    Richard
  • lrguy44lrguy44 Member Posts: 2,197
    Actually, now that I looked it up, 66 was the last Star Chief - the Star Chief Executive. In 67, the Executive dropped the Star Chief name.
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    "Who thinks technology is a good thing?" "This flu is no joke..."

    Those comments are really out of character for you. You are always optimistic about the future, and you always say that things will get better soon.

    I do agree about the flu. My sister and brother-in-law are doctors. They are very worried about it. A friend of theirs at the CDC in Atlanta says it will make the 1918 epidemic seem mild by comparison. The feeling at this point is that when the time comes, self-isolation from other people will be the only way to escape. That means not going to work, ball games, clubs, church, etc. You'll need at least 6 ft. in distance from all other people. It's a pretty frightening thought.

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    Yes, I stand corrected. It was 1966. Thanks.

    Richard
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,637
    The man is now an image posting maniac..... ">

    True....but just one more;
    image<img src="

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    And a beauty it is!
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • lrguy44lrguy44 Member Posts: 2,197
    Now we both stand corrected. Have a great day
  • graphicguygraphicguy Member Posts: 14,196
    kyfdx...Sharonville.....that'd be the one.

    DId you go?

    I go every year (along with the one in Lebanon, which combines blues, bbq, and cars...all of my favorites).

    Sunday was the biggest show I've seen in Sharonville. Lots of good 'ole muscle and some nice customs, too. Plenty of 'vettes and Mustangs.

    The guy who had the '66 Grand Prix almost hooked me. I got caught up in the moment. After the show, he let me drive it for a little bit...not far...just enough to get a feel for it.

    Reminds me of how far automobile engineering has come. His was a pristine example in seemingly original condition (but, extremely well maintained). Power steering was a "one finger" affair....not even a hint of road feel. Power breaks were the same....you gave them a press, and you knew something was going on to slow the car, but never sure what that "something" was.

    Big gobs of torque.

    He was "asking" $15K for it. But, said he'd take $12K.

    I know just enough about old iron to make a terrible mistake. So, after returning to the car 3 times, common sense took over and I politely declined. Still have his phone number, though.
    2024 Kia EV6 GT-Line AWD Long Range
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    Weren't you impressed with the price? The shows that I have attended usually have such high price tags. Bet it was a neat car.

    Richard
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,728
    >kyfdx...Sharonville.....that'd be the one. ...
    I go every year (along with the one in Lebanon

    When is the one in Lebanon? I almost stopped at Sharonville Sunday on way back from visiting a badly ill friend. Sun shining, but I was pretty much drained. Now I wish I'd stopped to see the cars. How was parking?

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 269,186
    Nope.. didn't go this year..

    My wife broke her ankle last week, and I've had additional duties at home.. (Either that, or I went to the REDS game on Saturday afternoon, and used up my free pass)..

    I agree about driving technology... It's easy to forget how crappy the handling was on old cars..

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  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    Power steering was a "one finger" affair....not even a hint of road feel.

    Man, if that's what a Pontiac of the time was I don't even want to think about a Ford! Back in the late 60s early 70s I was driving GM and Fords that my folks had. Compared to a Ford GM's power steering had real road feel. Of course probably so did a Radio Flyer...
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,728
    IIRC the Chrysler of that era bragged about how "light" its power steering was. I believe it was the lightest. I don't know how it compares for road feel.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    My memory put Chrysler in between the two but I don't rely on my memory too much anymore.... I know I liked driving a girlfriend's 70 Valiant better than my dad's Galaxie 500...
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • chikoochikoo Member Posts: 3,008
    >I have never known you to get so excited. If a 12 year old car with 115k miles can do that to you, then the BMW experience must be something indeed.

    and I am sad today because I had to return that car to my friend last night.
    Guess what I am doing right now on the internet?
  • percussionistpercussionist Member Posts: 204
    Power steering was a "one finger" affair....

    Really, which finger? :P
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    Find yourself a good one.

    Richard
  • verdugoverdugo Member Posts: 2,288
    This flu is no joke according to some sources close to me. We could be seeing the very beginning of something worse than we can fathom.

    My parents are in Mexico city and they said things have been blown out of proportion. I hope they are right and your sources wrong. :)
  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    self-isolation from other people will be the only way to escape

    It'll be same as it is now, we'll all be on Edmunds chatting, except we'll be doing even more of it cause nobody will be going outsidfe to do anything else. :sick:

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • roadburnerroadburner Member Posts: 18,479
    and I am sad today because I had to return that car to my friend last night.
    Guess what I am doing right now on the internet?


    I 'd strongly suggest checking out an E39(1997-2003) 5 Series. They were-and in some quarters still are-considered the best car in the world. I'd look for a 2001 or newer. The 530i has sweeter handling while the 540i has more power. As a matter of fact, if I could find a 530i stick with the Sport, Premium, and Cold Weather Packages it would be in my garage tonight.

    Kyfdx- did you see that five speed 525i wagon at Beechmont Subaru? It was Topaz Blue and had something like 35K on it- and it looked immaculate. I think they only wanted $12,000 for it.

    Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
    Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
    Son's: 2018 330i xDrive

  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,728
    >It's a pretty frightening thought.

    Which year was it we were all going to die from the bird flu? The media was showing up pictures of people in the East walking around with procedure masks on to prevent exhaling virii or inhaling virii, I'm not sure how well the masks work for laypeople.

    The only thing different this time is the season of the year. Usually the flu spreads best in the colder weather or more people succumb in the colder weather.

    It just seems so much a media event. I guess it's been a 100 days :blush: since something big came along and this is the next big news story. ;)

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,637
    East walking around with procedure masks on to prevent exhaling virii or inhaling virii, I'm not sure how well the masks work for laypeople.

    This "epidemic" could blow over, it doesn't seem to be as strong as some. But, remember, we are overdo for a pandemic and their are virus's that are getting stronger all the time. Sars a few years ago seemed stronger, but we can't let our guard down.
    Face masks do very little, it is washing hands several times a day to give best protection. The virus could go through the air, but more likely it is caught from touching the virus and then putting hands near mouth, nose or eyes.

    And just to keep on topic, it should make internet sales of cars go up. ;)

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • jimbresjimbres Member Posts: 2,025
    Dad had a '64 Plymouth Fury when I started to drive - replaced it a few months later with a '66 Chrysler Newport - so I can confirm that at a time when almost no one cared about road feel, Chrysler power steering was the lightest around. You could steer the car with one finger hooked around the horn ring, which left your other arm free to hold your date.

    And the enormous back seats in those big mid-60s Chryslers...but that's a topic for another post.
  • verdugoverdugo Member Posts: 2,288
    And just to keep on topic, it should make internet sales of cars go up.

    And the potential for added revenue from home delivery is huge!!! :shades:
  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,356
    My first car, a 1953 Nash Rambler had reclining front seats....unfortunately it did not have much else to recommend it. :)

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,593
    The only thing different this time is the season of the year. Usually the flu spreads best in the colder weather or more people succumb in the colder weather.

    It spreads best in the winter because people generally stay indoors and closer to each other in the winter. Closer contact helps the spread of diseases.

    From what I have heard this flu is supposed to be no more worse than any other we usually get.

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    "I guess it's been a 100 days..."

    Let's hope that you are correct. The media does love to beat a horse into the ground.

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    "...we'll all be on Edmunds chatting, except we'll be doing even more of it cause nobody will be going outside to do anything else."

    Just make sure that you have washed your hands and keyboard really good before we begin. I don't want to catch it from Canada. :P

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    Let us know if your parents return home safely and don't catch the bug within 48 hours of their return. That would tell us a great deal.

    Richard
  • jayriderjayrider Member Posts: 3,602
    Learned to drive in my grandfathers 62 Hillman Minx. I liked to refer to it as the "tooth chipper"
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    We've read fascinating tales of how many of you learned to drive. How about some tales related to how you learned to sell cars? How have things changed on the frontlines since then?

    tidester, host
    SUVs and Smart Shopper
  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    Speaking of home delivery I did two today.

    One was for a customer friend that was in over a month ago, looked, and test drove, but was undecided at that time. She gave birth and is at home with 2 kids, so she gave me an over the phone deposit on one of our vans, and I delivered it to her home with all the paperwork. My friend who's an insurance agent, did her insurance over the phone too and dropped it off when I was dropping off the van.

    Second deal was a fleet deal that I dropped off to the co's works yard.

    And my orange Challenger R/T finally arrived yesterdaqy, and the customer picked that up.

    So that's 3 deliveries in 2 days. I'm hoping I can score another couple of deals before month end. We'll see. :shades:

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

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